Milrem Robotics unveils THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle at UMEX 2018

Estonia-based Milrem Robotics has unveiled a new unmanned ground vehicle at Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) 2018 in Abu Dhabi, named as THeMIS, which has been designed to operate mainly in desert terrain and hot climates.

Milrem Robotics said that THeMIS, which was previously exhibited at IDEX 2017, had remained in the UAE where it underwent rigorous tests in the hot conditions in the desert terrain. The manufacturer says that the autonomous vehicle has been improved for UMEX 2018 by incorporating the knowledge gained from the UAE tests.

The new version of THeMIS – Type 4, whose length has been increased by 30cm, offers improved traction in desert conditions along with better cooling systems, said Milrem Robotics.

It also has a bigger payload area to enable mounting of various remote weapon systems, surveillance and C-IED equipment among others.

Milrem Robotics says that integration of weapon systems on THeMIS autonomous vehicle is already being carried out along with Singapore Technologies Kinetics, FN Herstal and Aselsan.

The company has also incorporated autonomous control technology for THeMIS, with one of the features being waypoint navigation, which enables the unmanned ground vehicle to follow a predetermined route without the involvement of an operator to handle it.

Milrem Robotics, says that this feature, makes THeMIS a good candidate to be used for perimeter patrol. Particularly, the unmanned ground vehicle is highly useful when equipped with a remote weapon station to not only detect enemy forces but also to take immediate action against them.

Additionally, the autonomous control technology in the THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle can deliver crucial surveillance data simultaneously to the headquarters and forces located inside the perimeter.